Pontton Floor

martinm54

Recruit
Joined
Mar 13, 2012
Messages
4
I bought a 1999 Star Craft pontoon last spring and used it all last summer. We use it mainly for cruising and swimming. My question is because all the swimming im worried about getting soft spot on the floor because of all the water that is on the floor from swimming. Does anyone know if Star Craft treats the plywood with any kind of sealer on top of the plywood before they install carpet?
 

lakegeorge

Senior Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Mar 19, 2002
Messages
660
Re: Pontton Floor

I bought a 1999 Star Craft pontoon last spring and used it all last summer. We use it mainly for cruising and swimming. My question is because all the swimming im worried about getting soft spot on the floor because of all the water that is on the floor from swimming. Does anyone know if Star Craft treats the plywood with any kind of sealer on top of the plywood before they install carpet?

Martin, I'm sure that they do, as long as your floors dry out in a day or so then I wouldn't worry about it.
 

a1nowell

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
May 12, 2009
Messages
437
Re: Pontton Floor

martin,
Most pontoon boat manufacturers use a marine grade plywood for their decking. Marine grade plywood is not pressure treated but is manufactured to be used in water prone areas and is very durable. I believe Starcraft has used this plywood for many years.

Do you trailer your boat and does it get a chance to dryout between uses?
 

The Rooster

Ensign
Joined
Apr 28, 2011
Messages
936
Re: Pontton Floor

+1 & 2 ^^^Martin. If it gets really soaked, use a wet/dry vac to remove 90%. The rest should dry within a day or two in the summer,
 

MH Hawker

Vice Admiral
Joined
Jul 13, 2011
Messages
5,516
Re: Pontton Floor

The decking is made to stand it it is very common for it to last 30 years.
 

5150abf

Vice Admiral
Joined
Aug 12, 2007
Messages
5,808
Re: Pontton Floor

I have marine ply for the lid of my livewell, it has been wet for 3 years with no signs of going bad and yes marine ply is treated with arsenic an other chemicals otherwise it would never last 30 years, I have seen thousands of skids of it and they all have a warning sticker that "This wood is treated with..... and should not be used for anything that contacts food or burned ect ect."
 

VaGent

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Jul 14, 2008
Messages
221
Re: Pontton Floor

I want to replace my wood deck with aluminum but I'm sure what thickness to use. My cross members are on 16" centers. Any suggestions? Plywood is so heavy & adds a lot of weight to the pontoon.
 

Silvertip

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Sep 22, 2003
Messages
28,771
Re: Pontton Floor

I want to replace my wood deck with aluminum but I'm sure what thickness to use. My cross members are on 16" centers. Any suggestions? Plywood is so heavy & adds a lot of weight to the pontoon.

Sheet aluminum has o strength. YOu would need very thick sheets and cost would be out of sight.
 

Water logged

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Nov 15, 2008
Messages
377
Re: Pontton Floor

Factory alum decks are made with extruded aluminum planks, don't know how well sheets would work. The planks wouldn't be cheap either, but they add a lot of strength.

Glenn
 

bigdee

Commander
Joined
Jul 27, 2006
Messages
2,667
Re: Pontton Floor

The decking is made to stand it it is very common for it to last 30 years.

Absolutely and most of it is UNTREATED marine plywood. My deck is 22 years old and stays out in the weather all summer....it is untreated 3/4" plywood. The deck will most often rot from the top laminate first but it takes years. You will replace your carpet 4 or 5 times before the deck needs replacing.
 

Boss Hawg

Lieutenant
Joined
Apr 9, 2009
Messages
1,433
Re: Pontton Floor

Absolutely and most of it is UNTREATED marine plywood. My deck is 22 years old and stays out in the weather all summer....it is untreated 3/4" plywood. The deck will most often rot from the top laminate first but it takes years. You will replace your carpet 4 or 5 times before the deck needs replacing.

Same here- ITS A BOAT- Get it wet & have fun!!!!
 

luckyjr

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Oct 2, 2010
Messages
169
Re: Pontton Floor

diamond aluminum plate has a little more strength than flat. I would try a couple of pcs 16ga, 8'or 10' long broke by press brake into channel form return leg. 6 in wide 6 + 1 + 1 = 8" /48" = 6 pcs
 
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